BC vs. S&D

[SandraC]

Hi all! We are considering staying at the BC. I anticipate the price to be about $229 per night. My main reason for wanting BC is the pool and it's close to Epcot. BUT I can get $129 govt rate at the S&D. Is the BC pool worth $100 a night? S

 

[>>^..^<<]

Hi there - fellow Canadian..

I think you will have a nice holiday at either of the resorts... but

to me - BC is worth the extra $...

S&D just do not do anything for me.. high rise style etc... I prefer the low rise resorts 5 or 6 floors... pool is better at BC (I think) but the grotto pool is nothing to sneeze at.. if you are on a tight budget - then 100.00 a day is something to consider.

I hear a rumour that Canadian$ at Par is coming on May 15th

Good Luck deciding

>>^..^<<

 

[Bird-Mom]

We have stayed at the BC twice and the Swan once...the BC is much better. I didn't care for the Swan much at all. That is a big $ difference, but I would highly recommend the BC. The pool is fantastic!

 

[chrissyk]

I'm going to be the dissenting opinion here. We just spent 5 nights at BCV and 2 nights at the Swan ($59/night on Priceline!!! What a deal!). The pool at the BC was SO crowded that we only went in it ONCE the entire 5 days we were there. The Grotto pool at the Swan and Dolphin was FANTASTIC! It is now my favorite pool on the Disney property. Even when there were a lot of people there, it did not feel crowded. Also, I loved looking up at the S+D while I was sitting at the pool...I actually liked them better than the low-rise Disney hotels I have to say that I LOVED the Swan. We are SPG (all we had to do was get the Starwood AMEX to get upgraded to Gold), so we got a great upgrade to a "Corner King" on the 6th floor (FANTASTIC view of EPCOT and Illuminations), and we were able to use Starwood points to add Club Level privledges to our stay. I would not hesitate to stay at the Swan or Dolphin again in the future. We won't be going back to the BC/BCV for a long time, though. We felt like we wasted a lot of DVC points staying there over OKW or BWV.

 

[Kathy5]

I'd say it's a mind set. We've stayed at the Beach Club several times and loved it. The rooms are nice (and have been recently renovated), and nothing can beat the pool. That said-we are going down this summer and staying at the Swan. We wanted a change, and I got the teacher's rate of $129. My feeling-go with want you really want (provided the money isn't a huge issue). If I had my heart set on the Beach Club, and we stayed at the Swan, I KNOW I wouldn't be 100% happy with the Swan. On the flip side-the Swan's rooms have also recently been renovated, and it's a four star like the Beach Club.

Kathy

 

[The Pluto People]

We have stayed at the YC (wanted to be guaranteed a full balcony) and the Dolphin. Stormalong Bay is fantastic but can become very crowded (depending on what time of year). The Grotto pool at the S/D is wonderful and was never too crowded(even during our Christmas/New Years visit). We loved the YC but really don't think it is worth $100 more a night than the S/D. (which we also love). Just for your information the govt rate at the Dolphin is still $129 but that rate at the Swan is now $154. Good luck with your decision!

 

[antmaril]

I'm struggling with this too. I have reservations at both the YC (waterview) and the Swan (Resort view with balcony). The difference is $100 per day. We stayed at the BC two years ago and enjoyed it. However, I didn't think the rooms were much. We are going at the end of June and I'm afraid SAB will be very crowded.

I don't know what to do. We are only staying four nights at WDW. We will then head to Portofino Bay at Universal. It isn't that the $400 is a really big deal - I just want a really nice vacation, in a lovely room, with a nice pool. I don't want to fight for a lounge chair or feel like I'm getting ripped off by spending $329 a night for an average room.

 

[bigsis1970]

Are you really going to be in your room a whole lot.. I would save the $100 per day ( 5 days = $500 ! ) for something else. but that is just me.. Michelle

 

[The Pluto People]

Antmaril: Both of our Dolphin stays were in a resort view with balcony room. We have stayed waterview at the YC and MK view at the Contemporary Tower and I can say, quite emphatically, the Dolphin view was the best!! At the Dolphin we enjoyed being "on the water," seeing the EPCOT fireworks from our balcony, and the overall feeling of luxury and relaxation that view/balcony offered. That, coupled with the heavenly beds, would make my choice (if I were you) the Swan!! And the fact that the room would be more reasonably priced,and the pool much less crowded (and consequently more enjoyable) would just add to my satisfaction with my choice of hotel. But, again, SB is great too and you'll have a wonderful time at either resort! Good luck! PS - We're staying at the Dolphin at the end of June - hope it's not too hot!

 

[irish]

Just to add my 2 cents...........Having had the opportunity to stay both places, I would lean towards the Swan/Dolphin.........BC is very nice (near the quiet pool); but for the money, the Swan was terrific..........Also, antmaril, we spent 3 nights at the Portofino Bay last November - quite fabulous........Enjoy!!!!

 

[antmaril]

Thanks for your replies! I think I will go with the Swan - it sounds great. My son is 16, so the "magic" isn't quite as important as it was when he was little. My only concern with the Swan is that I've heard several people say the rooms are on the small side. Was that your impression?

Another question, if you had a choice between Balcony Resort View or Club Level, which would you take? At the moment, Club Level is not available for my dates, but I have asked them to call me if they become available. I understand we would have a nice view, but no balcony. I do love concierge when I can get it!!

We stayed at the Portofino Bay last year - loved it. Now, those rooms are not small - beautiful - and the bathrooms - WOW!

It's going to be big fun!

Thanks, again!

 

[chrissyk]

Originally posted by antmaril
My only concern with the Swan is that I've heard several people say the rooms are on the small side. Was that your impression?

No way! Our room at the Swan was significantly larger than our studio at the BCV. It was VERY roomy! Also, the CL thing depends on who you get at check in. We requested the Corner King balcony room and then added Club privledges with points (1250 points/night). That way we had the best of both worlds...a great view AND the Club offerings We are SPG, so you might want to get the Starwood AMEX and get your Starwood card upgraded to Gold if you haven't done so already. That helped out a lot in terms of getting the upgrades.

 

[The Pluto People]

Antmaril: We have not stayed at the Swan - only the Dolphin- but I imagine the rooms are similar and we were very happy with the size/layout of the room. My DH and I are also taking our 16 year old DS and his friend to the Dolphin for the last week in June. We are having a similar discussion about balcony versus club level...we are currently booked in a Junior Suite on club level but I know I am going to miss that balcony terribly...particularly since the boys will be out on their own a lot and we could sit out and have a relaxing drink while we watch the world go by... But I really want the breakfast availabilty of Club level. During our stay at the Dolphin over Christmas I asked for Club benefits even though we were not on a Club floor. I was told absolutely no - not even with points - even though we are Gold SPG members. So I am hesitant to book a balcony room - I'm assuming we would not be one of the lucky ones to get Club privileges with a balcony room . I think we'll stick with Club level although you have me dreaming of that balcony again... Good luck with your choice!

 

[LadyDi48]

I called the Swan on 5/4/03 and was quoted the gov't rate as
Std view $144
Lakeview $169
Resort V $179
Balcony $189
Club L $214


The Dolphin is still less because the rooms have not been renovated yet. Std Room $129, Lake View $154, etc. $164, $174 and $199

I think they have finished renovating the Swan which is why the prices are higher. I'm sure the Dolphin prices will increase once the renovations are finished there also.

These prices were for Xmas week, so I don't know if that makes a difference.

Diana